Fourth of July

Fourth of July rolled around and we still found ourselves in California. We had to do a little bit of a wardrobe swap to make sure everyone was decked out in the correct colors. Hazel got to wear one of Bailey's shirt as a dress...

And Bailey got to sport my shirt as a little dress. We had to scrounge for a ribbon to tie around her waist for an impromptu belt to keep the outfit intact, and somehow it miraculously lasted through her crazy day.

We all piled into the highlander and headed up to the Ronald Reagan library for the festivities. Luckily this year it was a beautiful 75 degree day unlike last years blistering hot 100 degree weather.

My dad pulled up to the front so we could all pile out of the car and then he headed back down the hill to find a spot to park. We decided to skip the stroller with the idea that we outnumbered the little ones 5:2 so we could just pass them around, and they still gave us a run for our money.

Our first stop was to the arts and craft tables to decorate some american flags. Bails did some coloring and I am pretty sure that our flag was way prettier than Rachel's even though Bails did pick Rachel's as the favorite. 

As soon as the popsicle stick got stapled onto the flags Bails had them both in hand and proceeded to dance in circles around the courtyard. Marching, dancing, waving her arms about and humming songs is a regular past time with her these days.

Next up was the games. She attempted to throw the balls through the holes in the wooden board. She has a good arm, but this just wasn't her year. 

At this point we let the goose loose on the field and she just continued her dancing, marching, humming, and arm waving as she meandered around aimlessly. She could care less that any of us were around. Although my Dad did say that every once in awhile she would check to make sure someone was following her around, but beside that she was just a happy wanderer.

Dancing in front of a piece of the Berlin Wall...

Two things made her angry this trip. Trying to pick her up or redirect her to a path that she didn't feel like taking and trying to convince her to get her face painted. Sam tried to go first to show her that it didn't hurt. Unfortunately for him she backed out when it was her turn so Sam was the sole face paintee in the group. 

Our final pit stop was listening to the LAPD officers orchestra, which definitely ensued more dancing by little Bailey...

and kept angel Hazel quite intrigued.

After the Reagan library adventures we were returned home for some yummy chocolate cake for the adults and an ice cream cone for Bails.

We also made a little appearance at the neighborhood block party. Bailey had the time of her life jumping in the bounce house. It only took her about a half hour to work up the courage to actually enter it (even when it was empty). She started by making me hold her hands while she jumped on the front entrance and then she finally inched closer and closer until she made it inside; and then it became quite fun to convince her to leave. Then we ended our night with a little fireworks show. Hazel sat in the car with Grandpa and was in heaven playing with the steering wheel while Bails pretended she was one of the big kids running around and barely seeing the fireworks through the fog. Another great fourth of July celebration!